Illusion apparatus.



R. IMHOP.

ILLUSION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1913.

1,095,637. Patented May 5,1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO, WASHINGTON. n. c.

R. IMHOP.

ILLUSION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY a, 1913.

1,095,637. Patented May 5,1914.

Fg. 5. 2 SHEETS-$33121 2.

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STAWN ROGER IlVII-IOF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ILLUSION APIARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER IMHor, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Chicage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Illusion Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to an improvement in a theater appliance or apparatus for producing tricks or illusions.

It consists broadly in providing means whereby the camping, loading, priming and firing of an apparently real regulation field piece or cannon may be simulated.

Objects of my invention are to produce in an apparatus of this character a field piece which will be a close imitation; which will be constructed of few parts; which will be readily assembled and dismounted; and which will be capable of simulating as closely as possible the functions of the real gun.

Other objects and advantages will in part be apparent, and in part made clear in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, made a part hereof, I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention, the same serving in connection with the description to explain its principles, and wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating a practical application of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal horizontal section; Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a different arrangement of the parts; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, view in perspective of a part of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partly in sect-ion to illustrate a function of one of the parts.

Referring specifically to the drawings, in which like numerals designate like parts in the specification, 1 represents the barrel of an imitation field piece. It is mounted through trunnions 2 on a gun block 3 secured to astock 4. The stock is mounted on wheels 5 which form a carriage for the gun. The barrel 1 has a bore extending therethrough and is closed at one end by a breech-block 6, hinged as at 7 and provided with locking means such as loops 8 and pin 9. Means are also provided for the retention in the interior of the barrel of a shotgun, rifle, or other explosive apparatus. A

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 8, 1913.

Patented May 5, 191.4.

Serial No. 766,384.

shot-gun 10 is here shown. It is detachably secured to the breech-block by a swivel joint 11, and when in lowered position as seen in Fig. 1, is retained on a rest 12 secured to the interior of the barrel.

When a rifle or shot gun is used, its forward end or muzzle is placed in a loop formed for instance by securing one end of a strap or the like 13 to the interior of the barrel, and passing the loose end through a slot 14: in the upper portion of the barrel. The strap is for the purpose of raising the explosive apparatus out of the way of the load to be inserted into the muzzle of the barrel, and is secured to a pin 15 on the outer side thereof. The rest 12 is placed preferably at the rear edge of a channel 16 connecting the bore of the barrel with a compartment 17 in the stock, and acts in the double capacity of a rest for the gun 10, and a deflector guiding any objects inserted into the muzzle to the compartment 17 in the stock. A touch hole 18 is connected with the compartment 17 by a tube 19 passing through holes 20 and 21 in the barrel and stock respectively. In close proximity to the touch hole there is provided a cup 22 for the retention of real powder to aid in the illusion of firing. 0n the reverse side of the barrel, a door 23, hinged at 24, and having a latch 25, permits the insertion of the hand to manipulate the explosive apparatus concealed in the interior of the barrel.

The operation of the device is as follows: The rifie or shot gun having been loaded and cooked is placed in the interior of the barrel, the muzzle being passed through the loop and raised by pulling the free end of the strap 13 and securing it to the pin 15 on the outer side of the barrel. The gun stock is secured to the breech block 6 which is closed and locked, and some real powder placed in the cup 2 2. The device is now ready for the illusion. lVhen placed for instance as illustrated in Fig. 1, imitation powder is fed into the muzzle and rammed home. A load of lemons, eggs, fruit, or other ammunition is then inserted and follows the imitation powder through the channel 16 into the compartment 17. The gun is then primed, the priming passing through the tube 19 being also led to the compartment. The loop is now released to allow the shot gun to descend to the rest. The door 23 is now opened, and when the operator touches ofi the real powder in the cup 22 he pulls the trigger of the shot gun. A prepared target, such as a man with particles of the ammunition used stuck to vaious portions of the anatomy completes the illusion. After the barrel has been lifted from the carriage, it is only necessary to turn up the stock to the position shown in Fig. 6, when the contents of the chamber 17 may be removed in a suitable receptacle as 24.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that l have devised a simple, economical, and practical apparatus for the production of illusions, and while i have illustrated a particular embodiment herein, it will be understood that I do not Wish to limit myself to the particular construction shown, as many changes may be made in the con struction and details thereof without departing from the principles of the invention or sacrificing its chief advai'itages.

W h at I claim, and desire to secure by Let tcrs Patent is l. in illusion device comprising an imitation field-piece of artillery or the like having a barrel, stock and carriage; said barrel being hollowed out internally to form a bore; a breech block closing one end there of; an explosive device secured to the breech block; said stock having a compartment therein communicating with said bore by a channel; means for adjusting said explosive apparatus; and a rest for said apparatus.

An illusion device comprising an imitation field-piece of artillery or the like having a demountable barrel, stock and carriage; said barrel being provided with an internal bore; a breech block hingedly connected to the barrel and closing one end of said bore; an explosive device detachably secured to said breech block and having movement in a vertical and horizontal direction thereon; means for raising and lowering said explosive apparatus; said stock having a compartment therein communicating with said bore through a channel; and a rest for said explosive device when in its lowered position.

3. An illusion device comprising an imitation field-piece of artillery or the like consisting of a barrel, stock and carriage; said barrel having a bore extending therethrough longitudinally; a breech block detachably connected to said barrel and closing said bore at one end; an explosive apparatus netachably disposed within the barrel; a de tachable connection between said breech block and said explosive apparatus, said com'iection permitting a movement of the latter in a vertical and horizontal direction; a flexible member secured at one end to the inner portion of the barrel, and its free end passing through a slot therein to form a loop; a pin for adjusting the flexible memher on the outer side of the barrel; said flexible member embracing a portion of the explosive apparatus to raise or lower the same; said stock having a compartment therein communicating with said internal bore through a channeled portion thereof; a rest secured to the inner portion of the barrel at the rear edge of the channel; said rest acting as a deflector for the channel, and maintaining the explosive device in its lowcred position; said barrel being provided at its upper portion with a touch hole, and a cup for the retention of powder in proximity thereto; a tube connecting said touch hole with said compartment in the stock; and a door in the barrel for permitting the manipulation oi the explosive apparatus.

in testimony whereof I ai'hx my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROGER IMHOF. Witnesses Geo. W. W'AL'KER, R. Ln Boy Hoszaen.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

